Warm Up Friendlies.

[MC Prussian]

We're going to get thrashed at the World Cup... Losing is one thing, losing 1-0 at home to Costa Rica - the third defeat in a row - in the second to last friendly before the big tournament is another. That was a dire, lacklustre, shocking display, without any spark of creativity and I bet we'll be found out big time by not only Spain and Chile, but also Honduras will slice through our cheesy defense with ease. Nothing works and you can't just blame it on the tough training methods. Our midfield goes loose all too often, there is no midfield maestro to keep it all together, no coherence. The defense is nowhere to be found, Senderos and von Bergen are massively out of form, words fail to describe the numbness. The strikers huff and puff but waste the best chances.

There's still a lot of holes in it - not too optimistic about the last test versus Italy on Saturday, but then again - what do results in warm-up matches indicate at all?

Early summer holidays or the World Cup trophy pour la Suisse, methinks. It's going to be a tournament of extremes - either extreme surprise or extreme disappointment.

Still wonder how we managed to scrape through to get this far.<_< But in Ottmar we trust.

[Fox You Forest]

As it happens their is a man knocking about doing nothing in Leicester this summer who could have filled those holes.

[shen]

Australi 0 - 0 Holland

60th minute... not looking good for either side

My link

Denmark, surely. Setback from our point of view. Disappointing that Enevoldsen, Eriksen and Tomasson don't look up for the job, but hopefully in the former two cases it was just a blip. Tomasson is well past his best now though. That's twelve consecutive games for Denmark without a goal. His last was way back in 2008! Australia were very dire too on this evidence... Josh Kennedys goal was comical though

[maddog]

We're going to get thrashed at the World Cup... Losing is one thing, losing 1-0 at home to Costa Rica - the third defeat in a row - in the second to last friendly before the big tournament is another. That was a dire, lacklustre, shocking display, without any spark of creativity and I bet we'll be found out big time by not only Spain and Chile, but also Honduras will slice through our cheesy defense with ease. Nothing works and you can't just blame it on the tough training methods. Our midfield goes loose all too often, there is no midfield maestro to keep it all together, no coherence. The defense is nowhere to be found, Senderos and von Bergen are massively out of form, words fail to describe the numbness. The strikers huff and puff but waste the best chances.

There's still a lot of holes in it - not too optimistic about the last test versus Italy on Saturday, but then again - what do results in warm-up matches indicate at all?

Early summer holidays or the World Cup trophy pour la Suisse, methinks. It's going to be a tournament of extremes - either extreme surprise or extreme disappointment.

Still wonder how we managed to scrape through to get this far.<_< But in Ottmar we trust.

Anything can happen in the majors.

Look at Senegal beating France in '02, and Greece winning Euro 2004.

England could go out in the group stage, it's unlikely but could happen easily.

[Fosse Fox]

Anything can happen in the majors.

Look at Senegal beating France in '02, and Greece winning Euro 2004.

England could go out in the group stage, it's unlikely but could happen easily.

Not in the World Cup Finals, chum. Just look at this:

1) Last first-time winner: France (1998) - the only new one in 32 years.

2) Last first-time winner on foreign soil: Brazil (1958).

3) Last occasion both finalists were first-timers: Italy V Czechoslovakia (1934)

To date there has not been a final where the contestants were both foreign and first-time.

Historical record strongly points to the winner of South Africa 2010 coming from this group (in descending order of probability): Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, France. History suggests that Spain will not win South Africa 2010.

The World Cup is all about pedigree and, as we all know, the English are a mongrel race!

[Fox You Forest]

Not in the World Cup Finals, chum. Just look at this:

1) Last first-time winner: France (1998) - the only new one in 32 years.

2) Last first-time winner on foreign soil: Brazil (1958).

3) Last occasion both finalists were first-timers: Italy V Czechoslovakia (1934)

To date there has not been a final where the contestants were both foreign and first-time.

Historical record strongly points to the winner of South Africa 2010 coming from this group (in descending order of probability): Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, France. History suggests that Spain will not win South Africa 2010.

The World Cup is all about pedigree and, as we all know, the English are a mongrel race!

Why bother with all the drivel if you know what is going to happen. :yawn:

[Fosse Fox]

Why bother with all the drivel if you know what is going to happen. :yawn:

Sorry, the 'drivel' here is the opinions of ****** like you who think that England will win it...

[The Doctor]

Not in the World Cup Finals, chum. Just look at this:

1) Last first-time winner: France (1998) - the only new one in 32 years.

2) Last first-time winner on foreign soil: Brazil (1958).

3) Last occasion both finalists were first-timers: Italy V Czechoslovakia (1934)

To date there has not been a final where the contestants were both foreign and first-time.

Historical record strongly points to the winner of South Africa 2010 coming from this group (in descending order of probability): Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Italy, France. History suggests that Spain will not win South Africa 2010.

The World Cup is all about pedigree and, as we all know, the English are a mongrel race!

well yes it can.

Who'd have expected france to go out in the group stages of WC02 a tournament they entered as holders, or that france would knock brazil out in the quaters of WC06 (paticularly the way the struggled through the group)

Didn't everyone expected trinidad & Tobago to get hammered by england and Sweden in germany?

Instead they drew 0-0 against sweden with 10 men and only lost to england 2-0 from a crouch goal that should have been disallowed (Crouch pulling on the defenders hair) and a screamer from gerrard

Or how about south Korea & Turkey reaching the semi-finals in 2002, including victory for south korea over italy?

[Fosse Fox]

well yes it can.

Who'd have expected france to go out in the group stages of WC02 a tournament they entered as holders, or that france would knock brazil out in the quaters of WC06 (paticularly the way the struggled through the group)

Didn't everyone expected trinidad & Tobago to get hammered by england and Sweden in germany?

Instead they drew 0-0 against sweden with 10 men and only lost to england 2-0 from a crouch goal that should have been disallowed (Crouch pulling on the defenders hair) and a screamer from gerrard

Or how about south Korea & Turkey reaching the semi-finals in 2002, including victory for south korea over italy?

You have a bit of a problem with the ol' semantics don't you? ANYTHING can happen? ANYTHING?

Anything like, say, New Zealand to WIN South Africa 2010? That's the idiotic proposition you're inviting me to consider when you keyed in your ill considered rejoinder 'well yes it can.'

Remember that as far as sporting tournaments go the FIFA World Cup's conclusion is probably the most predictable in world sport.

[Bugg]

Is LargeAl not allowed an opinion anymore Fosse Fox, he is right, anything can happen in the WC, highly unlikely a minnow will do anything but still anything can happen.

Then again you come across as a stubborn twat who only listens to his own opinion.

[The Doctor]

You have a bit of a problem with the ol' semantics don't you? ANYTHING can happen? ANYTHING?

Anything like, say, New Zealand to WIN South Africa 2010? That's the idiotic proposition you're inviting me to consider when you keyed in your ill considered rejoinder 'well yes it can.'

Remember that as far as sporting tournaments go the FIFA World Cup's conclusion is probably the most predictable in world sport.

which, despite being very unlikely, at this stage could still actually happen.

[Fosse Fox]

which, despite being very unlikely, at this stage could still actually happen.

But that will not 'actually happen' because the slightly less 'very unlikely' asteroid will smash into the New Zealnd team coach en route to the stadium...

[marbelladave]

The predictability aspect of this years competition is somewhat upset by the fact that it is being held in South Africa in the winter.

Neither the South American teams nor the European teams will be playing on their own continent which levels the field somewhat and the games will not take place in seriously hot weather, as is usual. This gives the northern European teams something of an advantage and could allow England in particular to play the high energy style they prefer.

Whether this will be enough to upset the 'warm weather' teams such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Brazil etc remains to be seen but the competition is not as firmly slanted in their favour as is usually the case.

Whilst I do not expect teams such as New Zealand to have any impact in the later stages, I would not be at all surprised to see a less well known and little fancied team (in England at least) have a big impact in the later stages.

[Fox You Forest]

Sorry, the 'drivel' here is the opinions of ****** like you who think that England will win it...

I must be losing my faculties, in which post did I say such things?

[Fosse Fox]

The predictability aspect of this years competition is somewhat upset by the fact that it is being held in South Africa in the winter.

Neither the South American teams nor the European teams will be playing on their own continent which levels the field somewhat and the games will not take place in seriously hot weather, as is usual. This gives the northern European teams something of an advantage and could allow England in particular to play the high energy style they prefer.

Whether this will be enough to upset the 'warm weather' teams such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Brazil etc remains to be seen but the competition is not as firmly slanted in their favour as is usually the case.

Whilst I do not expect teams such as New Zealand to have any impact in the later stages, I would not be at all surprised to see a less well known and little fancied team (in England at least) have a big impact in the later stages.

'54, '58, '66, '74, & '78 (Argy Autumn) were hardly tropical.

And the High Veldt will soon put paid to 'northern European' notions (ie England's dreaming) of headless chicken, Monty Python knees bent running around advancing behaviour.

The premium for England's high energy preference remains the same whatever the climate - FAILURE.

[marbelladave]

'54, '58, '66, '74, & '78 (Argy Autumn) were hardly tropical.

And the High Veldt will soon put paid to 'northern European' notions (ie England's dreaming) of headless chicken, Monty Python knees bent running around advancing behaviour.

The premium for England's high energy preference remains the same whatever the climate - FAILURE.

But the most recent world cups have been in hot weather, just suggesting that cooler climes may even the odds. The altitude will affect pretty much everyone the same, fooball's a physical game however skilled you are.

Personally I dislike high energy, direct football with a vengeance but given England failing to develop the required skills to play a modern passing game we may as well play the style we are best at.

No I don't think it will win us the World Cup either, but we might, just possibly upset one of the more fancied teams should we get far enough in the competition to meet them.

That in itself could be rather good fun, nudge, nudge, wink, wink...

[shen]

But the most recent world cups have been in hot weather, just suggesting that cooler climes may even the odds. The altitude will affect pretty much everyone the same, fooball's a physical game however skilled you are.

Personally I dislike high energy, direct football with a vengeance but given England failing to develop the required skills to play a modern passing game we may as well play the style we are best at.

No I don't think it will win us the World Cup either, but we might, just possibly upset one of the more fancied teams should we get far enough in the competition to meet them.

That in itself could be rather good fun, nudge, nudge, wink, wink...

I don't remember the last World Cup in Germany being unusually hot. Likewise the hot and humid Cup in 2002 saw the Germans get to the final. But speaking of altitude, wouldn't that theoretically benefit teams like Mexico, Paraguay, Chile etc?

[marbelladave]

I don't remember the last World Cup in Germany being unusually hot. Likewise the hot and humid Cup in 2002 saw the Germans get to the final. But speaking of altitude, wouldn't that theoretically benefit teams like Mexico, Paraguay, Chile etc?

The games in Southern Germany (in particular) were pretty hot and humid as I recall, in our game against Portugal our entire team was dead on its feet with the exception of Hargreaves. Yes I know it was not the only factor but the weather did not help at all. I do not for one instance think that cool weather will somehow make us Cup winners, just pointing out that for once the conditions will not be entirely against us.

The altitude is an issue, hence the training and preparation. I do not think any of the teams you mention will have much of an advantage, we are only talking about 5,000 feet and a fair proportion of the games are at sea level.

If England top their group (big if, I know) then their next 2 games (round of 16 and the quarter finals) are at altitude, Rustenburg (our base) and Jo'burgh but the big one, the semi-final against Brazil is at sea level. Not too bad should we get that far...

[dandannieldanok]

France 0-1 China. I'm sure this was well received by the Stade de France crowd.

[shen]

France 0-1 China. I'm sure this was well received by the Stade de France crowd.

Spectacular how many sides are struggling with these friendlies...

[Sparky]

The games in Southern Germany (in particular) were pretty hot and humid as I recall, in our game against Portugal our entire team was dead on its feet with the exception of Hargreaves. Yes I know it was not the only factor but the weather did not help at all. I do not for one instance think that cool weather will somehow make us Cup winners, just pointing out that for once the conditions will not be entirely against us.

The altitude is an issue, hence the training and preparation. I do not think any of the teams you mention will have much of an advantage, we are only talking about 5,000 feet and a fair proportion of the games are at sea level.

If England top their group (big if, I know) then their next 2 games (round of 16 and the quarter finals) are at altitude, Rustenburg (our base) and Jo'burgh but the big one, the semi-final against Brazil is at sea level. Not too bad should we get that far...

I was in Frankfurt for the opening match and had never felt heat like it, must have been 40+

[CosbehFox]

But that will not 'actually happen' because the slightly less 'very unlikely' asteroid will smash into the New Zealnd team coach en route to the stadium...

I don't know....they did beat Serbia away from home.......................................

'54, '58, '66, '74, & '78 (Argy Autumn) were hardly tropical.

In reference to England, 66 we won. 74 and 78 didn't even qualify. 54 was played in a high altitude country (higher than Africa) and 58...fair enough but Wales managed the Quarters!

I don't remember the last World Cup in Germany being unusually hot.

Fair few of the European players have mentioned how they are looking forward to South Africa after the climate in Germany.

[shen]

The games in Southern Germany (in particular) were pretty hot and humid as I recall, in our game against Portugal our entire team was dead on its feet with the exception of Hargreaves. Yes I know it was not the only factor but the weather did not help at all. I do not for one instance think that cool weather will somehow make us Cup winners, just pointing out that for once the conditions will not be entirely against us.

I was in Frankfurt for the opening match and had never felt heat like it, must have been 40+

Fair few of the European players have mentioned how they are looking forward to South Africa after the climate in Germany.

Must've slipped my mind how hot it was

[dandannieldanok]

Holland have beaten Hungary 6-1. Ok it's only Hungary but when you consider how poorly the other top nations have been, both performance and results wise, then it's surprising that Holland have slipped under the radar when a potential winner is talked about. They were faultless in qualification and that's carried on in these warm-ups.

[Fosse Fox]

Holland have beaten Hungary 6-1. Ok it's only Hungary but when you consider how poorly the other top nations have been, both performance and results wise, then it's surprising that Holland have slipped under the radar when a potential winner is talked about. They were faultless in qualification and that's carried on in these warm-ups.

I was tempted to tip them (even though history dictates you shouldn't look beyond previous winners) so just as well Robben got himself crocked before I came off the fence.